HAGATNA (US), May 3: Barack Obama led Hillary Rodham Clinton as votes were tallied on Saturday from the Democratic presidential caucuses on Guam in a nominating contest that has the candidates battling for every last nominating delegate.

With 12 out of 20 caucus sites reporting, delegates for Obama were ahead with 899 votes to 769 for those pledged to Hillary Rodham Clinton.

More than 3,000 votes were expected in heavy turnout at caucuses in the US Pacific island territory, where neither candidate campaigned in person.

Four pledged delegate votes were at stake on the Pacific island 12,875 kilometres from Washington. Guam also has five super-delegates who are free to vote for any candidate at the party’s convention regardless of the caucus outcome and some of those are being determined in the caucus voting as well.

Slow ballot-by-ballot counting was under way in the territorial legislative building after votes were hand carried from some 20 caucus sites.

Long lines of voters were reported in schools, community centres and other caucus sites that were open for voting all day on Saturday.

US citizens in Guam have no vote in the November presidential election, but the close Clinton-Obama race is giving them an unaccustomed role in the nomination process.

Voters picked eight pledged delegates who will have only one-half vote each at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August.

Presidential caucuses on Guam usually pass without much notice from the candidates.

This time, Obama and Clinton made their case for the territory’s four regular delegates with local advertising and long-distance interviews.

Lines formed early at some caucus sites.

Cynthia Estrada of Dedeo said she was making up her mind while waiting to vote, but she was leaning toward Clinton.

“Shes had the experience,” she said. “She’s got her husband to help her.”

Yona resident Tommy Shimizu said he was voting for Obama delegates.

“It’s the fact that he grew up in Hawaii, and I think he can make change,” he said. “I think it’s time for that.”—AP